Now that esnl’s been labeled a Mel Gibsonesque antisemite by one of the folks who led the campaign to silence the Berkeley Daily Planet, it seems appropriate to look at a real antisemite, one Richard Milhous Nixon, as revealed in oval office tape recordings. [HT to The Edge of the American West.]
26 May 1971
You know, it’s a funny thing, every one of the bastards that are out for legalizing marijuana are Jewish. What the Christ is the matter with the Jews, Bob? What is the matter with them? I suppose because most of them are psychiatrists.
3 July 1971
Nixon: I want to look at any sensitive areas around, where Jews are involved, Bob. See, the Jews are all through the government. And we have got to get in those areas, we’ve got to get the man in charge, who is not Jewish, to patrol the Jewish –
Haldeman: [unclear]
Nixon: . . . full of Jews. Second, most Jews are [unclear]. You know what I mean? You have Garment and Kissinger.
Haldeman: And thankfully Safire.
Nixon: But by God, they’re exceptions. But Bob, generally speaking, you can’t trust the bastards. They turn on us.
Haldeman: And their whole orientation is against this administration anyway. . . . And they’re smart. They have the ability to do what they want to do. Which is, to hurt us. . . .
Nixon: Henry doesn’t have many Jews. Got this one. . . . .
Haldeman: He’s got quite a few. . . . He had Halperin.
Nixon: Yeah, I know. But, you know. . . he’s got Haig, his secretary is not Jewish. . . . .
Haldeman: None of his aides have ever been Jewish, even Tony Lake who turned on us.
Nixon: Well Tony Lake always seemed Jewish.
Haldeman: I don’t think so. I wondered about that.
Nixon: He looked it.
Haldeman: I know.
eats shoots 'n leaves 